Cold sore and newborn

I have an 8 day old. My 8 year old came down with a cold sore the day after she was born, I saw the red patch so knew to watch her and keep her far away from the baby. I also took them both to the pediatrician two days ago and the dr. said her cold sore was scabbing and I did what I was supposed to do, good handwashing and keeping the older child away.


Yesterday I noticed an irritation on my lip, near the corner, on the bottom lip. There are three tiny cracks/fissures that stung when I put on some Vaseline. My lips had been chapped postpartum and I've been waking up with night sweats so  am thinking that the cracks are due to that.

Now I am terrified it's a cold sore. I don't know if I've ever had a cold sore. I do know 2 years after my daughter had her primary outbreak, I had a very painful gum infection, on my gums and between my teeth that the dentist said was "gingivostomatis."  I also felt generally sick and had a fever.   Is this herpes?  SInce then I've had two episodes on my gums. I think it's gingivitis but it lasts a while, is very painful and then goes away.

The area on my lip  doesn't look like any cold sore my daughter has had (she gets a patch in the middle of her bottom lip, mostly below the border but right on the edge)  and there were no blisters, just red, irritated skin and these tiny cracks. Since yesterday I've been putting on hydrocortisone cream and Vaseline and this morning there is just one crack.

In the middle of the night the baby was fussy and I instinctively held her and then I kissed her on top of the head. I realized what I had done and immediately scrubbed her hair (she was born with a ton of hair).


Do you think this is a cold sore and do you think I exposed the baby?

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum! Please, do not worry. Nor it seems like you developed a cold sore (HSV1 infection), nor it is likely for your baby to acquire one after potential “exposure” you described.

In general, a mother can transmit herpes simplex virus to her child (kiss, shared cup, utensil, or toy). Baby’s primary herpes infection could be very mild, or could manifest as mouth soreness, gum inflammation, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a sore throat.


Wishing You Optimal Health,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic